The advisory lists 41 fishing spots from the Tennessee River to the Gulf Coast, with Bear Creek, the Cahaba River, and Smith Reservoir in between.

The just released advisory states whether or not contaminants, such as Mercury or PFOS, are found in particular species of fish at that location and makes a recommendation on how much fish would be safe to eat.

Well over half of the fishing bodies of water have advisories for contaminants and, thus, recommendations that consumption be limited.

For example, at the Tuscaloosa Reservoir, in the lower reservoir in Tuscaloosa County, largemouth bass have been found with mercury contamination. The health department recommends limiting consumption to one meal per month. On the Gulf Coast, the health department has a Do Not Eat Any advisory for King Mackerel over 39 inches long due to mercury.

And at Ryan Creek off the Smith Reservoir, approximately 2.2 miles upstream of Big Bridge in Cullman County, the health department says to limit largemouth bass consumption to two meals a month due to mercury.

The health department says the advisory is a guide and that no regulations ban the consumption of fish in the state. The department says there is not a risk of an acute toxic episode by consuming any of the fish.

However, the "consumption of any fish from a specific waterbody under a Do Not Eat Any advisory (such as the King Mackeral on the coast) may place the consumer at risk for harm from the contaminant."

The data comes from 501 collections made last fall from 50 collection stations.

The health department does recommend that Alabamians consume two meals of fish a week as part of a balanced diet.